CDU welcomes ideas roadshow to Territory

Charles Darwin University will usher in “the ideas boom” to the Northern Territory today when it hosts the Australian Government’s innovation and science roadshow at Casuarina campus.

Director of Research, Charles Darwin University and Menzies School of Health Research, Brendon Douglas, said the Prime Minister’s billion-dollar announcement was a forward-thinking piece of public policy that would energise a new generation of “smart ideas”.

“Tomorrow we will hear an outline of the comprehensive suite of initiatives in the innovation and science agenda and what it means for Territorians,” Mr Douglas said.

“In broad terms, this is a game changer that provides our inventors and ideas people with the legitimacy to write a new chapter in Australia’s history of ingenuity and world-leading research.

“The flexible funding stream for university research and the emphasis on increasing the engagement between business, universities and the research sector are elements that are particularly exciting for us, as an Innovative Research University.

“Being situated in the Top End, we will want to examine how best we can maximise opportunities from this initiative with the agenda to develop Northern Australia, and how we can further strengthen ties with South-East Asia.”

Mr Douglas said the purpose of the stakeholder briefing was to explain how Territorians could take advantage of the opportunities inherent in the $1.1 billion investment over the next four years.

“We would expect representatives from industry and businesses, education, science groups, governments and councils to attend.”

The briefing will take place in the Mal Nairn Auditorium, Rocklands Drive, Casuarina campus from 3.30pm to 5pm.

More details, W: innovation.gov.au/page/stakeholder-briefings